The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has condemned the armed attack on Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and his delegation at Gonaives on the weekend during the traditional ceremony commemorating the 218th anniversary of Haiti’s independence.

In a statement, CARICOM said the attendance of the Prime Minister of Haiti and his delegation of high officials at the traditional celebration of the anniversary of Haiti’s Independence, which includes a Te Deum church service at the Gonaives Cathedral, was disrupted by volleys of automatic weapons in the surroundings of the church.

Henry was unable to deliver his public speech at the nearby Place des Armes Square which normally follows the church service as part of the ceremony.

“The reported death of a citizen during the incident, heightens the Community’s concern at the continued deterioration of the security situation in the country,” CARICOM said.

CARICOM urged the Haitian authorities to address what it called the prevailing untenable security situation with urgency in order to restore a sense of safety and security to the country.

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